Removable Belt Buckle System

ABSTRACT

A removable belt buckle system has a belt band, with interior and exterior surfaces, as well as a first end and second end. The first end has a hook-and-loop component on the interior surface and the second end has a corresponding hook-and-loop component on the exterior surface allowing for each end to releasably engage one-another. A clip releasably engages the belt band. The clip is defined by a first member connected to a second member by a spring portion. The spring portion biases the second member toward the first member until a contact point is reached. A lip portion extends at an obtuse angle from an opposite end of the second member relative to the spring portion. The clips first member releasably engages a buckle at the back side of the buckle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the field of belt buckles, and morespecifically to the field of reliable belt buckles that can disengagefrom the belt.

2. Description of Related Art

Belts are a common accessory with both aesthetic and function features.Waist belts can be worn as a fashion statement and are required mostformal attire. They also function to cinch the waist and hold pants orshorts above the waist. It can be difficult to find an entire wardrobeof trousers that do not need a belt, as waist size differs betweenbrands. Further, users often gain or lose weight, changing thecircumference of the waist, and therefore the fit of their trousers.

Belts are typically made of leather or synthetic mixtures and come invarieties of lengths and thicknesses. Belts have two ends that typicallymeet at the front of the user. In prior art, a buckle is affixed to oneend of the belt, while the opposing end is insertable into the beltbuckle.

Belt buckles are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, themes, andmaterials. Some come highly decorated, and some are minimalist andprofessional. Metals are the most common material used due to theirstrength, durability, and appearance. This causes a problem for thosewho travel frequently. Security now mandates that all metal items,including belts, be removed when walking through metal detectors andbody scanners. While simply taking off ones belt does not cause too muchdistress, the traveler may need the belt to hold their trousers at anappropriate height in order to avoid their pants falling down. If thisis the case, the user can be made very uncomfortable in an alreadystressful setting.

To mitigate this problem, belt buckles made from alternate materialssuch as plastics have been made, however these do not have the sametimeless aesthetic appeal of a metal buckle, and are not formal enoughto wear with business attire. A suitable solution is desired.

Based on the foregoing, there is a need in the art for a removable beltbuckle that has the aesthetic appeal of a standard belt buckle, but canbe removed without hindering the function of the belt. The solutionshould allow the user to maintain the function of their belt with orwithout the use of the buckle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment, a removable belt buckle system has a belt band with aninterior surface and an exterior surface. The belt band also has a firstend, which has a hook-and-loop component on an interior surface, and asecond end, which has a corresponding hook-and-loop positioned on anexterior surface. The hook-and-loop components are configured toreleasably engage one another.

A clip configured to engage the belt band has a first member and asecond member. The second member has a lip portion extending at anobtuse angle from an opposite end of the second member. Further, theclip has a spring portion connecting the first and second member. Thespring portion biases the first member toward the second member. A beltbuckle has a back side adapted to releasably engage the first member ofthe clip.

In an embodiment, the buckle and first member of the clip magneticallyengage. In alternate embodiments the buckle and first member of the clipmay engage by a snap fastener, keyhole fastener, or screw and bolt.

In an embodiment, the first member and second member of the clip arepositioned at an acute angle toward one another. Further, the first andsecond member have a contact point.

In an embodiment, the lip portion is adapted to receive the belt band.

A method of use of the belt buckle includes; engaging the hook-and-loopsystem components to form a loop, inserting the belt band between eachof the first and second members, and engaging the backside of the bucklewith the first member of the clip.

The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, willbe apparent from the following, more particular description of thepreferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, andthe claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objectsand advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuingdescriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings brieflydescribed as follows.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the belt, belt clip, and belt buckle,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the belt clip and belt buckle, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the belt with the belt buckle fullyengaged, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of use of the belt buckle system,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages maybe understood by referring to FIGS. 1-4, wherein like reference numeralsrefer to like elements.

The invention described herein refers to a system comprising a belt bandwith a removable buckle. Disengaging the buckle does not hinder thefunction of the belt. In general, the system comprises a strap or beltband. The belt has two ends that releasably engage one another. Themiddle section of the belt band extends around the circumference of thewaist of the user, preferably through the belt loops of a users pant.Each end of the belt comprises one or more attachment components. In apreferred embodiment a hook-and-loop system is used to releasably engageeach end of the belt around the users waist to secure the pants at adesirable point.

In reference to FIGS. 1-3, the belt band 6 component is shown, whereintwo sides; an inside 1 and an outside 2, define the belt band 6. Theinside 1 is positioned to contact the user while the outside 2 ispositioned to face away from the user when the belt is being worn. Thebelt has a first end 11 and a second end 12, which once the belt isextended around the user, will meet and overlap to engage an attachmentmechanism such as a hook-and-loop system.

In a preferred embodiment, the first end 11 has a hook-and-loopcomponent 5 positioned on the inside 1. Further, the second end 12 has acorresponding hook-and-loop component 15 positioned on the outside 2. Asthe user positions the belt around their waist, the user positions theoutside 2 of the second end 12 at a proximal position to the bodycompared to the inside 1 of the first end 11. The hook-and-loopcomponent 5 and corresponding hook-and-loop component 15 are oriented toface one another. Upon contact, each hook-and-loop component 5,15, willreleasably engage one another and hold the belt band 6 in position.Other means of fabric attachment known in the art may be used, as longas the connection can support the pants at the users waist and maintainconnectivity during movement.

The belt can be fastened and used as is, such that the users pants areheld at an appropriate height at the waist of the user. To achieve theaesthetic appeal of a standard belt with an integrated buckle 40, thebuckle 40 with integrated clip 30 can be releasably engaged at theconnection of the first and second ends 11,12.

In a preferred embodiment, a clip 30 integrates, or attaches to thebuckle 40 such that the front side 21 of the buckle 40 is positionedfacing outside the user. The clip 30 has a first member 31, a secondmember 32 wherein the second member 32 is defined by a spring portion33. Each component forms a continuous band of material such as metal. Inan embodiment, the spring portion 33 can be formed to a lip at the endto facilitate the insertion of the belt between the first and secondmembers 31,32. The members are biased toward one another such that thebelt is retained between each of the members 31,32. The first member 31is substantially flat to rest against the buckle 40 and provide a largearea of contact. The clip 30 allows for a buckle 40 to be releasablyengaged, such that the buckle 40 is facing away from the user and hidesthe clip 30, and underlying first and second ends of the belt band.

The buckle 40 may have the form of any known in the art such as but notlimited to; frame-style buckle, plate-style buckle, box-out, orbox-frame buckle. In general, the buckle has a front side 21 and abackside 22. The front side faces away from the user, and has aestheticfeatures that can change in different embodiments of the buckle 40. Thebackside 22 of the buckle 40 is positioned to releasably engage thefirst member of the clip 30. A threaded bolt, or other mating engagementmay accomplish the releasable connection of the buckle 40 and clip 30.

Each member has an opening direction, and closing direction. The openingdirection allows for the insertion of the belt components and theclosing directions retains the belt within the clip 30. The closingdirection enables friction between the clip 30 and the belt, keeping theposition and orientation of the belt.

Bending the single continuous band of the material into a semicircleforms the spring. A bend is positioned, as known in the art, between thespring portion and the first member to increase the force applied by thespring and further increase the bias between the members.

In use, the user disposes the belt between the first and second members31,32. Once the user positions the belt about the waist and releasablyengages the first and second ends 11,12 via each of the hook-and-loopcomponents 5,15, the user inserts the belt between the first and secondmember 31,32. A contact point 36 of the first member 31 and springportion 33 is separated by the user, allowing the belt to be furtherinserted into the clip 30. Once the belt contacts the spring portion 33at the top of the clip 30, the belt is then fully engaged and the devicemay be worn until no longer needed.

A lip portion at the end of the second member 32 allows for the easyinsertion of the belt and acts as a handle for the user to bend thebiased members apart if needed.

As mentioned, the first member is integrated into the belt buckle 40. Ina preferred embodiment, the clip 30 is releasably attached to the buckle40 by a bolt or screw. The bolt or screw secures the clip 30 to thebuckle 40 while still retaining the ability for the user to change thebuckle as desired. In alternate embodiments, the clip 30 and buckle 40releasably engage with a magnet 20.

In an embodiment, the clip 30 is matingly engaged with the buckle 40. Inthis embodiment, the clip 30 has one or more protrusions, which matinglyengage with egresses, or protrusions of the buckle 40. This allows theuser to easily interchange the buckle without using tools.

In an embodiment, the clip 30 and buckle 40 are adhered to one anotherby a clamping mechanism, wherein a clamp on the clip 30 releasablyengages a protrusion on the buckle.

In an embodiment, the buckle 40 is made of nylon, leather, rubber, heavycloth, or other material known in the art. Further, the buckle is madeof metal, plastics, rubber, synthetics, or other material known in theart. Style of buckle is selectable by the user and is only aesthetic, asthe hook-and-loop system serves to join each end of the belt band.

In reference to FIG. 4 a flowchart depicts the method of use, wherein instep 10, a user first engages the hook-and-loop components to form aloop. In step 15, the user inserts the belt band between the first andsecond members of the clip, and in step 20, the user engages thebackside of the buckle with the first member of the clip.

The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments forthe purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the inventioncan be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not beregarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosedherein, but instead as being fully commensurate in scope with thefollowing claims.

I claim:
 1. A removable belt buckle system comprising: a. a belt bandhaving an interior surface and an exterior surface, the belt bandfurther defined by; i. a first end, wherein the first end has ahook-and-loop component positioned on the interior surface; and ii. asecond end, wherein the second end has a corresponding hook-and-loopcomponent positioned on the exterior surface, and wherein the first endhook and loop component is configured to engage the second endcorresponding hook and loop component; b. a clip having two membersdefined by; i. a first member; ii. a second member having lip portion;and iii. a spring portion, wherein the first member and second memberare connected by the spring portion, and wherein the spring portionbiases the second member towards the first member, and wherein the lipportion extends at an obtuse angle from an opposite end of the secondmember relative to the spring portion, and wherein the clip isconfigured to engage the belt band; c. a buckle having a back sideadapted to releasably engage the first member of the clip.
 2. Theremovable belt buckle of claim 1, wherein the buckle and first member ofthe clip magnetically engage.
 3. The removable belt buckle of claim 1,wherein the buckle and first member of the clip engage by a snapfastener.
 4. The removable belt buckle of claim 1, wherein the buckleand first member of the clip engage by a keyhole fastener.
 5. Theremovable belt buckle of claim 1, wherein the first member and secondmember are positioned at an acute angle toward one another.
 6. Theremovable belt buckle of claim 5, wherein the first member and secondmember have a contact point.
 7. The removable belt buckle of claim 1,wherein the lip potion is adapted to receive the belt band.
 8. Theremovable belt buckle of claim 1, wherein the hook-and-loop componentand corresponding hook-and-loop component engage to configure the beltband to form a loop.
 9. The removable belt buckle of claim 1, wherein amethod further comprises the steps consisting of: a. engaging thehook-and-loop components to form a loop; b. inserting the belt bandbetween the first and second members of the clip; and c. engaging thebackside of the buckle with the first member of the clip.